SRINAGAR: The Hazratbal shrine crisis, which seemed on the verge of a solution till on the evening of Nov.10 was back to square one with the government having rejected outright the all-party Hurriyat Conference mediators’ “package” for the exit of the holed up militants.
The Hurriyat’s proposals were discussed the same night at a high level meeting attended by senior officials, including the government’s key negotiator, Mahmood ur Rehman, The meeting was of the opinion that an unconditional surrender with weapons by the militants was the only solution for refusing the 27dayold crisis. The Hurriyat emissaries, Abdul Majid Wani and Narool Hassan, had suggested replacement of the Army cordon by one by the late armed police, leaving behind some arms, “safe passage’ and admission by the government that had erred by accusing the militants of tampering with the locks which protected the holy relic.
This is the second time that the initiative by the Hurriyat has failed to yield any solution to the imbroglio which has paralyzed life in the Valley since Oct.15. Now the Hurriyat’s coming under pressure from various militant groups, and a section of the public for pussyfooting on the issue in “connivance” with the government. It is also being accused of not putting forward a concrete action program: like an agitation to force the government to lift the cordon.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat confirmed that its mediation effort has come unstuck. Ina Press note issued Thursday the Hurriyat said it had pulled out of the talks a5 “they are useless and a waste of time.” The Hurriyat accused the government of “rigidity and adopting a negative attitude” towards a solution to the crisis.
Nov.12 was the fourth Friday when prayers were not held at the shrine. The Hurriyat and several militant outfits, including the Hizbul Mujahideen, have given a call for “Hazratbal chalo” Friday.
Meanwhile, the Valley buzzed with activity on lifting of the unofficial curfew by the Hurriyat. People thronged the streets and shops were full, as news of the continuation of the crisis leaked out, people went on a panic buying spree of essential items, In view of the “Hazratbal chalo” call, security measures have been tightened. An early attempt by people to march to the shrine after Friday” prayers had resulted in bloodshed.
Meanwhile, a division bench of the Jammu and Kashmir, high court Thursday directed the divisional commissioner, Kashmir to provide necessary winter clothing to the inmates, excluding the militants, of the Hazratbal shrine.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 19, 1993
